AN OUTSPOKEN North Wales vicar wants the clergy to sign "good conduct" agreements to stop them becoming embroiled in sex scandals.

AN OUTSPOKEN North Wales vicar wants the clergy to sign "good conduct" agreements to stop them becoming embroiled in sex scandals.

The Rector of Caernarfon, the Rev Roger Donaldson, warns that sex has become the new religion in "epidemic proportions", and believes it is time for the Church to put its own house in order.

His views - which he says are meant only for parishioners and not the press - are published in the latest Llanbeblig parish magazine.

They follow a recent report in the Daily Post concerning Canon Geoffrey Hewitt who has stepped down as Church and Society Officer for the diocese of Bangor, after investigations into allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" against three women, including a member of the clergy in Anglesey.

Mr Donaldson wrote: "The Church is in the news again for all the wrong reasons. This is bad news. Of course . . . a person accused is innocent until proved guilty."

He adds: "The Church in Wales does now have a new disciplinary procedure and a tribunal system. Pray that, if it does meet, it does not come to Caernarfon."

Mr Donaldson continues: "God will not bless a dirty or rebellious house.

"We must be humble in this sad business, but it does not mean that we have to shut up either; that would be attempting to sweep matters under the carpet and that always leads us to more problems in the end."

Calling for the matter to be dealt with quickly, he added: "Is it not time that the clergy came together and signed an agreement of good conduct, particularly in matters sexual? It may be that the world has got into the Church more than we realise, and that it is time now to call a halt and reassess our situation.

"For my part, it is time to acknowledge that there is sin and that the old morality is the safest and the best. It is high time we demythologised sex, which has come to be the new religion in epidemic proportions."

The Church in Wales communications manager, Sion Brynach, confirmed he was aware of Mr Donaldson's message to parishioners.

Mr Hewitt, 53, the priest in charge of the parish of Pentir, near Bangor, who also had special responsibility for the huge Maesgeirchen estate on the outskirts of the city, has been on sick leave since the investigation, and has been receiving professional help including counselling. He is currently away on holiday.

Mr Brynach said: "The Church in Wales takes all allegations of miscoduct very seriously and, in accordance with universally accepted good practice, will not tolerate harassment in the workplace.

"The allegations have been investigated by the diocesan authorities and have not been denied by Canon Hewitt. The authorities are seeking to support all those affected, and steps have been taken to ensure that those concerned do not come into day-to-day contact."